Interior Health says five new youth detox beds at the Phoenix Centre in Kamloops will be opening this fall.
It says a contract has been awarded to the Kamloops Society for Alcohol and Drug Services to provide “community-based youth withdrawal management services, housing, and hospitality.”
“We are excited to support young clients in a safe and culturally relevant environment and implement a philosophy of care that is client-directed with a focus on developing strengths and resiliency,” Phoenix Centre executive director, Siân Lewis, said.
The beds are meant for people between the age of 12 and 24, with IH saying it is in addition to ten youth substance use treatment beds announced a year ago for Kamloops and another ten in Kelowna.
“Interior Health is committed to expanding and strengthening substance use services in Kamloops and the surrounding area,” IH President and CEO, Susan Brown, said, in a statement. ”
IH says withdrawal management – sometimes called detox – provides short-term medical supervision and support to people who are experiencing withdrawal symptoms after they stopped using alcohol and some drugs.
“In certain circumstances, medical supervision is important because of the potentially serious health risks related to withdrawal,” IH said. “Clients accessing this service stay in a facility with 24-hour staff support from a multi-disciplinary team.”
“In addition to medically supervised support for withdrawing from alcohol or other drugs, other services are available such as supportive counselling, substance use education, daily programming, and referrals to relevant services to support ongoing journey to recovery.”
In a statement, the ministries of Health and Mental Health and Addictions plan to add 123 new beds across the province as part of the 10-year strategy.
“Our government is working urgently to build a comprehensive and seamless continuum of care and these new youth withdrawal management beds are a vital part of that,” Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Sheila Malcolmson said.
“These beds will help youth in the Interior on their pathway to recovery.”
